Extensible conveyer



-| A. MAPES EXTENSIBLE CONVEYER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed April17, 1946 \NVENTOR ATTORNEY May 3, 1949. L. A. MAPES 235107 EXTENSIBLEGONVEYER Original Filed April 17, 1946 2. Sheets- -Sheet 2 INVENTORATTORNEY Reissuecl May 3, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 23,107EXTENSIBLE CONVEYER Leslie A. Mapes, Palisade, N. J.

Original No. 2,445,960,

No. 662,717, April 17, issue December 14, 1

This invention relates to conveyors in general and more especially toconveyors of the type extensively used for transferring cargo to or froma vessel, a truck or the like.

Among the objects of the present invention, it is aimed to provide animproved cargo transferring conveyor of the type used for transferringcargo to or from a vessel, truck or the like and which is characterizedby cargo supporting means such as cylinders or spaced rollers which arerotatably mounted on extensible telescoping frames.

These and other features, capabilities and advantages of the inventionwill appear from the subjoined detail description of specificembodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings in whichFig. 1 is a longitudinal section of one embodiment of the conveyor, inextended or expanded position.

Fig. 2 is a slightly enlarged section of the conveyor illustrated inFig. 1 in collapsed or closed position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental longitudinal section on a larger scale than thatshown in Fig. 2, showing the conveyor partly collapsed or contracted.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line E--5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section on a larger scale than that shown in Fig.3 showing the three telescoping members nested within one another.

Fig. 8 is a fragmental section similar to Fig. 3 of a second embodimentof the invention.

Fig. 9 is a fragmental plan of a further embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a fragmental enlarged section on the line Ill-l of Fig. 9.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to '7, inelusive, there is shown aconveyor consisting of a plurality of sections, three sections, 1, 2 and3 being shown in the present instance. In their most contracted orcollapsed position the three sections nest into one another, see Figs. 2and '1, with the section I in the outermost position, the section 3 inthe innermost position, and the section 2 disposed between the twosections I and 3. The telescoping sections I, 2 and 3 constitute therigid structural portions which are mounted to slide into one anotherand connected by two collapsible chains 4 and 5, each consisting of aplurality of links 6 which are slot and pin connected to one another.

The sections 1, 2 and 3 are substantially identical to one another, withthe exception that their dated July 2'7, 1948, Serial 1946. Applicationfor re- 948, Serial No. 65,278

Claims. (Cl. 193-35) dimensions vary to facilitate telescoping them intoone another into the nested position shown in Fig. 2. As an instance,the outermost section I' has two side casings 1 and 8, each having anupper U-shaped curved channelled portion 9, and a downwardly extendingU-shaped curved portion H! with the supports H secured near the freeends of the section I and extending downwardly from the U-shaped members9 and H], see Figs. 1 and 7. At the outermost ends of the section I,crossbars l2 and H2 are provided extending from the inner webs 13 of theU portions Hi, see Fig. '7.

Sections 2 and 3, as aforesaid, are substantially identical to section1, except that for the section 2, the upper u-shaped channelled portionsH are smaller than the U-shaped portions 9 to fit into the channelthereof, and that the downwardly extending U-shaped portions l5 aresmaller than the upwardly extending portions Hi to fit into the same,and that the crossbars l6 and H8 connecting the inner webs l1 and theU-shaped portions [5 are longer than the crossbars l2 and H2, see Fig.3.

In turn, for the section 3, the upper U-shaped channelled portions l8are smaller than the U-shaped channelled portions M to fit into thesame, the downwardly extendin portions l9 are smaller than thedownwardly extending portions 15 to fit into the same, and the crossbars 20 and I20 connecting the webs 2i of the U-shaped portions 19 toone another are longer than the crossbars l6 and H6, see Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 1, the casings 1 and 8 of the section I also have legsor supports 22 extending downwardly from the inner end thereof,substantially identical in length and shape to the legs I l. The end ofthe section 2 which extends beyond the section I is provided with legsor supports 23 extending downwardly from the casings l4 thereof.

In turn, the free end of the section 3 is provided with legs or supports24 extending downwardly from the casings l9.

In the present instance, the crossbar I6 is provided with a downwardlyextending lug 216 to be engaged by the crossbar H2 in the position shownin Fig. 1 to limit the outward movement of the section 2, and thecrossbar 20 is provided with a downwardly extending lug 220 to beengaged by the crossbar H6 in the position shown in Fig. l to limit theoutward movement of the section 3. In their collapsed position, in turn,the lug 216 will engage the cross bar I: to limit the inward movement ofthe section 2 and the -shaped lug 220 will engage the lug 2I6 on thecrossbar It to limit the inward movement of the section 3.

The portions 9, I4 and I8 are formed U-shaped to provide longitudinallyextending channels or chambers for the shaft supporting elements shownillustratively in the form of rollers 25 and the portions I0, I and I9are similarly U-shaped to form chambers to accommodate the free ends ofthe links 6 when the sections I, 2 and 3 are telescoped or nested intoone another in collapsed position, that shown in Fig. 7.

At the ends of the chains 4 and 5, there are provided, see Figs. 1 and4, the shafts 21. The ends of the shaft 21 at one end of the chains 4and 5 extend through the U-shaped' portions 9 and have at their outerends suitable securing means, such as the cotter pins 28. Similarly, theends of the shaft 21 at the other ends of the chains 4 and 5 extendthrough the ends of the U-shaped portions I8 at the free end of thesection 3 and have securing means, such as the cotter pins 28, securedthereto, see Fig. 4. Intermediate the shafts 21, there are provided therollers 25, see Figs. 5 and 6, which are rotatably mounted on the endsof the shafts 23, which shaftszs, however, are not journalled in any ofthe U-shaped portions 9, I4, and IS, the rollers 25 being free to moveor roll in the chambers formed in the U-shaped portions 5, The shafts23, Fig. 7, have ball bearing units 3!} and 3f to which in turn areconnected the ends of the cylinders 3.2 so that the cylinders 32 in thisembodiment may constitute the cargo supports and are freely rotatable onthe shafts 29 through the ball bearing units 33 and 3I.

The portions of the shafts 29 disposed between the ends rollers 25 andthe portions of the shafts 21 extending from link 6 to link 6 preferablyare hexagonal, se the cross section of the shafts 2'1 and 29 in Figs. 3and 7.

The chains 4 and 5 are substantially identical to one another, eachhaving the same number of links. In the present instance, the links 6are provided with extended elongated arcuate slots 33 which extend fromthe left hand ends of the links 3 over two-thirds of the lengths of thelinks, and at the right hand end of the links 23, each link is providedwith a hexagonal opening to receive a hexagonal portion of a shaft thatthe first link 3 at the left hand end of Figs. 1 and 3 has the firstshaft 27 extend through its slot 33 and its right hand end fixedlymounted on the second shaft 29, which shaft 29, however, extends throughthe slot 33 of the second link 6, with the first, third and odd numberedlinks 6 in alinement with one another, and to the rear in Fig. 1, whilethe second, fourth and even num hered links 6 are in alinement with oneanother and to the front of the odd numbered links 6 in Fig. 1.'

In the open or extended position of the sections 1, 2 and 3, Fig. 1, theleft hand ends of th slots 33 of the links 6 Will engage the shafts 29and the shaft 2'! at the left hand end of section I, while in thecollapsed or contracted position, the right hand ends of the slots 33 ofthe links 6 will engage the shafts 29 and the shaft 21 at the left handend of section I, see the left end members 34, 35

elements 25 being movably mounted in the channels of casings 8 and 9.The links 4 and 5 interconnect the adjacent units of the series of suchcargo supporting units extending along the con- The hexagonal crosssection of the shafts 21 and 29 by being fixed to one pair of links, onelink 6 of the chain 4 and one link 6 of the chain 5, will maintain thesetwo links 6 in alinement with on another and thereby maintain the twochains 4 and 5 in alinement with one another. Since the cylinders 32depend for rotation relative to the shafts 21 and 29 upon the ballbearing units 30 and 3|, obviously the inner collars of the ball bearingunits 30 and 3I may be fixed to the hexagonal portions of the shafts 21and 29 without interfering with the rotation of the cylinders 32.

In order to clear the ends of the shaft 21 at the left hand end ofsection I, when the sections I, 2 and 3 are telescoped or moved intocollapsed position, the left hand ends of the sections 2 and 3 areprovided with the longitudinally extending slots I32 and I03. Similarly,in order to clear the ends of the shaft 21 at the right hand end ofsection 3, when the sections I, 2 and 3 are in telescoped or contractedposition, the right hand ends of the sections I and 2 are preferablyprovided with longitudinally extending slots, such as the slots I04 andI05 in the sections 2 and 3.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 8, differs from the embodiment shown inFigs. 1, 2 and 3 primarily in that the skirts or downwardly extendingU-shaped portions I0, I5 and I5 are omitted, as well as the crossbarsI2, I6 and 20, and the and 36 of the sections 31, 38 and 39 have shaftsupporting elements or rollers 40 supporting the ends of the shafts 4I.

members 34, 35 and 36 having restricted neck portions 42. Furthermore,the chambers in the end members 34, 35 and 36 preferably have a diametergreater than the diameter of their restricted neck portions 42, thediameter of the rollers 40 to enable the rollers 40 freely to rotate insaid chambers.

Preferably the end members legs 43, such by the crossbars 26 similar tothe crossbars I2, I6 and 63, but clearing the free ends of the links 44in contracted position whereby the pairs of end members 34, 35 and 33are anchored to one another.

In this embodiment, while the shafts 4| preferably are rounded toreceive the rollers 40, between the rollers 40 these shafts 4| are alsohexagonal in cross section so that the links 44 are mounted on theshafts M in the manner illustrated and described with regard to theembodiment of Fig. 1. In collapsed position, however, the free ends ofthe links 44 will hang in space and not be enclosed as in the case withthe links 6 of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 9 and i differs from the embodimentshown in Fig. l in another respect. In this embodiment instead of thecylinders 32 forming the cargo supporting means, the shafts 45 areprovided with rollers or collars 45 which are staggered relative to oneanother, see particularly Fig. 9 where the first, third and odd numberedshafts 45 are provided with three collars 46, while the second, fourthand even numbered shafts are provided with two collars 4B which nestinto one another. When the collars 48 are used, the shafts 45 obviouslymay be disposed closer to one another in collapsed position of theseveral sections where each link 41 may have a sharp bend 48. if thespace between successive shafts 45 in open or expanded position shouldapproach the space between the shafts 29 of the embodiment shown in Fig.3, all other dimensions being substantially equal.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made to thedetails of construction without departing from the general spirit of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination of a plurality of sections telescopically slidableinto one another, each section including a pair of side casings,crossbars connecting each pair of side casings to one another, cargosupporting rotatable means, shafts operably associated with saidrotatable means, rollers at the ends of said shafts mounted in said sidecasings, and a pair of chains for operatively connecting said shafts toone another, each chain including links secured at one end to one ofsaid shafts and slidably mounted on an adjacent shaft, the ends of thechains being connected to the outer ends of the end sections, saidchains enabling said sections to be telescoped into one another inclosed position, and also to be extended into expanded or open position.

2. In a conveyor, the combination of a plurality of sections, eachsection including a pair of side casings, the side casings of thesuccessive sections on each side forming a set telescopically slidableinto one another each of said side casings having an upper laterallyextending U-shaped portion and a downwardly extending U-shaped portion,means connecting each pair of side casings to one another, cargosupporting rotatable means, shafts operatively associated with saidrotatable means, rollers on the ends of said shafts being rotatablymounted in the laterally extending U-shaped portions, and chainsconnected at their ends to the free ends of the end side casings, saidchains including links, each link being connected at one end to a shaftand having a slot to slidably receive a succeeding shaft, the slots insaid links cooperating with said shafts to enable said sections to betelescoped into one another in closed position when said linkswill besuspended in said downwardly extending U- shaped portions, the slotsalso cooperating with said shafts to enable said sections to be extendedinto expanded or open position.

3. In a conveyor, the combination of a plurality of sections, eachsection including a pair of side casings, the side casings of thesuccessive sections on each side forming a set telescopically slidableinto one another, each of said side casings having an upper laterallyextending U-shaped portion and a downwardly extending U-shaped portion,crossbars connecting each pair of side casings to one another, cargosupporting rotatable means, shafts operatively associated with saidrotatable means, rollers on the ends of said shafts being rotatablymounted in the laterally extending U-shaped portions, chains connectedat their ends to the free ends of the end side casings, said chainsincluding links each link being connected at one end to a shaft andhaving a slot to slidably receive a succeeding shaft, the slots in saidlinks cooperating with said shafts to enable said sections to betelescoped into one another in closed position when said links will besuspended in said downwardly extending U- shaped portions, the slotsalso cooperating with said shafts to enable said sections to be extendedinto expanded or open position, and stops on some of the crossbarsengaging adjacent crossbars of adjacent sections in expanded positionand engaging other adjacent crossbars of adjacent sections in closedposition to determine the open and closed position of the sections.

4. In a conveyor, the combination of a plurality of sectionstelescopically slidable into one another, each section including a pairof channelled side casings, each said casing of each pair being slidableinto the channel of the adjoining casing toward one end of said conveyorin telescoping said sections; means interconnecting each pair of sidecasings; a series of roller units each comprising a cargo supportingroller, a shaft operably associated with said roller, and supportingelements one at each end of said shaft on which said shaft ends aresupported, said elements being mounted for longitudinal movement in thechannels of said side casings and being so proportioned as to be capableof longitudinal movement in the smallest of said channels; and linkagemeans interconnecting the adjacent ones of said roller units limitingmovement apart and permitting movement toward each other of said rollerunits; the ends of said series being connected to the outer ends of thesections; said linkage means enabling said sections to be telescopedinto one another in closed position, and also to be extended intoexpanded or open position.

5. In a conveyor, the combination of a plurality of sectionstelescopically slidable into one another, each section including a. pairof U-channelled side casings, the channels of adjacent, end to endsections being progressively larger toward one end of the conveyorwhereby each said casing of each pair is slidable into the channel ofthe adjoining casing toward one end of said conveyor in telescoping saidsections; means interconnecting each pair of said casings; a series ofroller units each comprising a cargo supporting roller, a shaft operablyassociated With said roller, and supporting elements one at each end ofsaid shaft on which said shaft ends are supported, said elements beingmounted for longitudinal movement in the channels of said side casingsand being so proportioned as to be capable of longitudinal movement inthe smallest of said channels; and links interconnecting said rollerunits each said link being slidably associated with one of said unitslimiting movement apart and permitting movement toward each other ofsaid roller units; the ends of said series being connected to the outerends of the sections; said links enabling said sections to be telescopedinto one another in closed position, and also to be extended intoexpanded or open position.

LESLIE A. MAPES.

No references cited.

